JP5504547B2 - Image output apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image output apparatus and program for outputting image information transmitted from an external information device by an output means .

Conventionally, in an image display device having a plurality of signal input systems, an object is to provide an image display device that can easily perform an input switching operation. System, a plurality of input terminals constituting the component signal input system, a scan converter for converting the signals into signals suitable for processing on the control board based on the format of the input image signal from these input terminals, and each signal input It has a selector that selects which input terminal to set among the input terminals that make up the system, and the terminal can be selected independently for each selected signal input system by the scan converter and selector, and many switching operations A technique that can simplify the input switching operation without performing the operation has been considered. (For example, Patent Document 1)
JP 2003-274316 A

  Although the techniques described in the above-mentioned patent documents also simplify some operations, the switching operation by a user, for example, using a remote controller is still necessary, and the switching operation cannot be completely automated.

  On the other hand, with the spread of personal computers in recent years and the development of wireless LAN technology represented by IEEE 802.11b, g or Bluetooth (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred to as “Bluetooth”), a plurality of personal computers are connected to one projector. There is a demand for a method in which a plurality of presentations are successively executed by sequentially setting a personal computer by allowing a user who uses a personal computer to wirelessly connect to the apparatus and share a projector apparatus.

  Current projection methods include, for example, a post-priority priority method in which the order of transmitting image signals from a plurality of personal computers to the projector apparatus is given priority over the last transmission, and a personal computer that projects the current image. The personal computer occupying method that has the exclusive right and cannot be projected from other personal computers unless this right is transferred, and the images of the personal computer to be projected are sequentially operated by the key operation of the remote controller attached to the projector device. There are remote control designation methods to be selected.

  However, a method for determining the priority order among personal computers connected via a wireless LAN, including the various methods described above, has not yet been established, for interruption of other personal computers or inadvertent operation errors. In many cases, the screen of the personal computer that should be projected cannot be projected.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to change the image information from a plurality of external information devices according to the operation status of each external information device. There is to switch .

The invention described in claim 1 is an image output apparatus that outputs image information transmitted from an external information device by an output means, and the image information based on an application executed by the first external information device is transferred to the first external information device. In a state of receiving from the information device and outputting by the output unit, the first determination unit for determining whether the application has ended in the first external information device and a second different from the first external information device A second discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not there is a request from an external information device; the end of the application in the first external information device is discriminated by the first discriminating unit; and the presence of a request is discriminated by the second discriminating unit In this case, in place of the image information from the first external information device, the image information transmitted from the second external information device is switched to be output by the output means. And switching control means for controlling, characterized by comprising a.

According to the present invention, when switching and outputting image information from a plurality of external information devices, it is possible to automatically switch according to the operation status of each external information device .

  Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to a projection system in which a plurality of personal computers (PC) 1, 1,... And one data projector apparatus 2 are connected by a wireless LAN will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 exemplifies a state in which a plurality of, for example, three personal computers 1, 1,... And a data projector apparatus 2 are connected by wireless LAN connection, and here, for example, bidirectional connection is made according to the IEEE 802.11g standard. Thus, image data and audio data based on the presentation software and control signals including a connection request signal and the like to be described later are sent from the personal computers 1, 1,.

  The data projector device 2 projects image data in accordance with the content sent from the personal computer 1 and emits sound from a built-in speaker unit.

  Each of the personal computers 1, 1,... Has a drive program for the data projector apparatus 2 installed in advance by a recording medium attached to the data projector apparatus 2, for example, a CD-ROM, and executes the program. Thus, when executing a specific application program, for example, presentation software, the image data is sent to the data projector apparatus 2, while various control signals are output to the data projector apparatus 2.

  FIG. 2 illustrates the configuration of one of the personal computers 1, 1,... FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the personal computer 1, and a north bridge 12 is connected to the CPU 11 that controls various processes and a front side bus FSB.

  The north bridge 12 is further connected to the main memory 13 via the memory bus MB and to the graphic controller 14 and the graphic memory 15 via the graphics interface AGP, and is also connected to the south bridge 16 mainly between them. Execute I / O control.

  The south bridge 16 is connected to a PCI bus 17, a keyboard / mouse 18, a video encoder 19, a wireless LAN interface (I / F) 20, a multi-disk drive 21, and a hard disk device (HDD) 22. Input / output control with 12 is performed.

  It should be noted that the individual elements constituting the personal computer 1 are extremely general techniques, and therefore description thereof is omitted.

  Note that the video encoder 19 generates and outputs an RGB video signal, which is an analog value image signal, from the given digital value image signal.

  The wireless LAN interface 20 transmits / receives various data in the wireless LAN in accordance with the above-mentioned IEEE802.11g standard by transmitting / receiving, for example, 2.4 [GHz] band radio waves via the wireless antenna 23.

  It is assumed that the hard disk device 22 stores driver software for the data projector device 2 in advance along with various application programs and data files including an OS (operating system) and presentation software.

Next, the circuit configuration of the data projector device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, image signals of various standards input from the input / output connector unit 31 are unified into image signals of a predetermined format by the image conversion unit 33 via the input / output interface (I / F) 32 and the system bus SB. Later, it is sent to the projection encoder 34.

  The projection encoder 34 develops and stores the transmitted image signal in the video RAM 35, generates a video signal from the stored contents of the video RAM 35, and outputs the video signal to the projection drive unit 36.

  The projection driving unit 36 appropriately speeds up time division by multiplying a frame rate, for example, 60 [frames / second], for example, the number of color component divisions and the number of display gradations corresponding to the transmitted image signal. For example, a micromirror element 37 which is a spatial light modulation element (SOM) is driven to display.

  High-luminance white light emitted from the light source lamp 39 disposed in the reflector 38 is appropriately colored to the primary color via the color wheel 40 with respect to the micromirror element 37, and the luminance distribution is made uniform by the light tunnel 41. After that, when the light is totally reflected by the mirror 42 and irradiated, an optical image is formed by the reflected light, and is projected and displayed on a screen (not shown) through the projection lens 43.

  However, both the lighting driving of the light source lamp 39 and the motor (M) 44 that rotationally drives the color wheel 40 operate based on the supply voltage value from the projection light processing unit 45.

  The control unit 46 controls all the operations of the circuits. The control unit 46 includes a CPU, a nonvolatile memory that stores an operation program executed by the CPU during a projection operation, a work memory, and the like.

  The control unit 46 is also connected to a wireless LAN interface (I / F) 47, a distance measurement processing unit 48, and an audio processing unit 49 via the system bus SB.

  The wireless LAN interface 47 transmits / receives various data in accordance with the above-mentioned IEEE802.11g standard by transmitting / receiving, for example, 2.4 [GHz] band radio waves via the wireless antenna 50.

  The distance measurement processing unit 48 controls and drives a distance measurement sensor 51 including two pairs of phase difference sensors embedded so as to be orthogonal to each other in the vicinity of the projection lens 43 on the front surface of the housing of the data projector device 2 and to detect them. The distance from the output to an arbitrary point position is calculated, and the calculated distance value data is sent to the control unit 46.

  The sound processing unit 49 includes a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source, converts the sound data given during the projection operation into an analog signal, drives the speaker 52 to emit a loud sound, or generates a beep sound or the like as necessary.

  In the data projector device 2, each key operation signal in the key switch (SW) unit 53 provided on the upper surface of the housing is directly input to the control unit 46, and a signal from the Ir reception unit 54 is also directly controlled by the control unit 46. Is input.

  The Ir receiving unit 54 receives an operation signal from a remote controller (not shown) attached to the data projector device 2 or an IrDA standard from an external device through Ir receiving window portions provided on the front and rear surfaces of the housing of the data projector device 2. Infrared modulated signal is received, and the received signal is converted into a code signal and sent to the control unit 46.

Next, a first operation example of the above embodiment will be described.
4 shows that the control unit 46 of the data projector apparatus 2 selectively selects an image signal and an audio signal from one of the personal computers 1, 1,... In the wireless LAN environment as shown in FIG. The basic processing content when performing the projection operation is shown.

  Initially, after establishing a wireless LAN with each personal computer 1, 1,... (Step S01), each personal computer 1 registers an IP (Internet Protocol) address and preset presentation time information. (Step S02).

  Here, the presentation time information is the maximum that each personal computer 1 continuously occupies the data projector device 2 by the driver software of the data projector device 2 in each personal computer 1 and continuously projects by the presentation software. The time is set, and a default value, for example, 15 minutes is preset, and can be arbitrarily changed by the user, for example, in minutes.

  Then, it waits for the connection request control signal by repeatedly executing the process of determining whether there is a connection request control signal from any of the personal computers 1, 1,... (Step S03).

  When there is a connection request from at least one of the registered personal computers 1, 1,..., This is determined in step S03, and the personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal first is selected. Then, a control signal indicating connection permission is sent (step S04).

  Thereafter, in response to this, while projecting and displaying the image signal and the audio signal sent from the personal computer 1 and the loud sound report sound are executed (step S05), the time is also counted by a timer inside the CPU (step S05). Step S06).

  At the same time, it is determined whether there is a connection request control signal from a personal computer 1 other than the currently connected personal computer 1 (step S07), and if not, the process returns to step S05 again. By repeatedly executing, while continuing the projection operation from the currently connected personal computer 1, the projection time is counted and the connection request control signal from another personal computer 1 is continuously executed.

  If there is a connection request control signal from another personal computer 1, this is determined in step S 07, and then the projection operation time of the image from the personal computer 1 that has been executed up to that point. It is determined whether or not the count value exceeds the preset maximum time for continuous projection of the personal computer 1 (step S08).

  Here, if it is determined that the count value of the projection operation time of the image from the personal computer 1 has not yet exceeded the preset maximum time of continuous projection of the personal computer 1, the projection operation is in progress. After returning a control signal for rejecting the connection request control signal to the other personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal (step S09), the operation returns to step S05.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S08 that the count value of the projection operation time of the image from the personal computer 1 exceeds the preset maximum time of continuous projection of the personal computer 1, the current image at that point in time is determined. After releasing the connection of the personal computer 1 that is projecting the signal, the connection with the other personal computer 1 that has sent the control signal for the connection request is set again (step S10), and then from the step S05. By proceeding to the above process, the operation shifts to the operation of projecting and displaying an image from the newly connected personal computer 1 and outputting the sound.

  As described above, when a plurality of personal computers 1, 1,... Are connected to the data projector apparatus 2 via the wireless LAN, the user of the data projector apparatus 2 can perform complicated operations by grasping predetermined conditions in advance. The operation for selecting the image signal and the audio signal output from each personal computer 1, 1,... Can be almost completely automated.

  In particular, as the predetermined condition, by setting a maximum time during which one personal computer 1 continuously projects, one personal computer 1 occupies the data projector device 2 for a long time. It is possible to sequentially select and switch other personal computers 1, 1,... That need to output image signals and the like.

  Next, a second operation example that replaces the first operation example will be described.

  FIG. 5 shows that the control unit 46 of the data projector apparatus 2 selectively selects an image signal and an audio signal from one of the personal computers 1, 1,... In the wireless LAN environment as shown in FIG. The basic processing content when performing the projection operation is shown.

  Initially, after establishing a wireless LAN with each personal computer 1, 1,... (Step S21), an IP (Internet Protocol) address is registered from each personal computer 1 (step S22).

  Then, it waits for the connection request control signal by repeatedly executing the process of determining whether there is a connection request control signal from any of the personal computers 1, 1,... (Step S23).

  When there is a connection request from at least one of the registered personal computers 1, 1,..., This is determined in step S23, and the personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal first is selected. Then, a control signal indicating connection permission is transmitted (step S24).

  Thereafter, in response to this, while performing the projection display of the image signal and the audio signal sent from the personal computer 1 and the loud sound report sound (step S25), the personal computer other than the personal computer 1 currently connected is also displayed. It is determined whether or not there is a connection request control signal from the computer 1 (step S26), and if not, the process returns to the process from step S25 again to repeatedly execute the personal computer currently connected. While continuing the projection operation from 1, it waits for a connection request control signal from another personal computer 1.

  If there is a connection request control signal from another personal computer 1, it is determined in step S26, and a control signal requesting permission for switching is transmitted to the personal computer 1 that is currently projecting the image. (Step S27).

  On the other hand, if there is a response control signal from the personal computer 1, it is received, and it is determined from the response content whether switching is permitted (step S29).

  Here, if the content of the control signal from the personal computer 1 indicates that switching is not permitted, it is sent to another personal computer 1 that has sent a connection request control signal during the projection operation. After returning the control signal for rejecting the connection (step S30), the operation returns to the operation from step S25 again.

  If a control signal indicating that switching is permitted is received from the personal computer 1 in step S29, the personal computer 1 that is currently projecting the image signal is disconnected and set again. Projection of an image from the newly connected personal computer 1 is performed by setting the connection with the other personal computer 1 that has sent the control signal for the connection request (step S31) and then proceeding to the processing from step S25. Moves to the operation of display and voice amplifying output.

  As described above, since the selection right is given to the personal computer 1 connected at that time, and switching to another personal computer 1 can be controlled for the convenience of the personal computer 1, the personal computer selected at that time can be controlled. Reflecting the intention of the user who uses 1, the unnecessary trouble can be avoided.

  Next, a third operation example that replaces the first and second operation examples will be described.

  6 shows that the control unit 46 of the data projector apparatus 2 selectively selects an image signal and an audio signal from one of the personal computers 1, 1,... In the wireless LAN environment as shown in FIG. The basic processing content when performing the projection operation is shown.

  Initially, after establishing a wireless LAN with each of the personal computers 1, 1,... (Step S41), an IP (Internet Protocol) address is registered from each personal computer 1 (step S42).

  Then, it waits for a connection request control signal by repeatedly executing the process of determining whether there is a connection request control signal from any of the personal computers 1, 1,... (Step S43).

  When there is a connection request from at least one of the registered personal computers 1, 1,..., This is determined in step S43, and the personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal first is selected. Then, a control signal indicating connection permission is sent (step S44).

  Thereafter, in response to this, while performing projection display of the image signal and audio signal sent from the personal computer 1 and the loud sound report sound (step S45), the operation by the keyboard / mouse 18 in the personal computer 1 is also performed. A control signal indicating whether or not there is an operation status is acquired (step S46).

  At the same time, it is determined whether there is a connection request control signal from a personal computer 1 other than the currently connected personal computer 1 (step S47), and if not, the process returns to step S45 again. By repeatedly executing, while continuing the projection operation from the currently connected personal computer 1, the acquisition of the operation status in the personal computer 1 and the waiting for the control signal of the connection request from the other personal computer 1 are performed. Continue to run.

  If there is a connection request control signal from another personal computer 1, this is determined in step S 47, and then the control indicating the operation status of the personal computer 1 that has been executed up to that point. From the result of continuing to acquire the signal, it is determined whether or not the personal computer 1 has been operated for a predetermined time, for example, 5 minutes or more (step S48).

  Here, if it is determined from the operation status of the personal computer 1 that the time since the last operation has been less than 5 minutes and the predetermined time has not elapsed, the connection request is controlled during the projection operation. After returning a control signal for rejecting this to the other personal computer 1 that sent the signal (step S49), the operation returns to the operation from step S45 again.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S48 that the time since the last operation is 5 minutes or more from the operation status of the personal computer 1, the personal computer 1 that is currently projecting the image signal at that time. After canceling the connection setting, the connection with the other personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal is set again (step S50), and then the process proceeds to the processing from step S45 to newly connect. Then, the operation shifts to the operation of projecting and displaying the image from the personal computer 1 and outputting the sound.

  As described above, when the no-operation state of the personal computer 1 selected and connected at that time continues, it is unnecessary to switch to the other personal computer 1 that has issued a connection request automatically. Image projection can be stopped early, and more efficient switching control can be realized.

  Next, a fourth operation example that replaces the first to third operation examples will be described.

  7 shows that the control unit 46 of the data projector apparatus 2 selectively selects an image signal and an audio signal from one of the personal computers 1, 1,... In the wireless LAN environment as shown in FIG. The basic processing content when performing the projection operation is shown.

  Initially, after establishing a wireless LAN with each of the personal computers 1, 1,... (Step S61), an IP (Internet Protocol) address is registered from each personal computer 1 (step S62).

  Then, it waits for the connection request control signal by repeatedly executing the process of determining whether there is a connection request control signal from any of the personal computers 1, 1,... (Step S63).

  When there is a connection request from at least one of the registered personal computers 1, 1,..., This is determined in step S63, and the personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal first is selected. Then, a control signal indicating connection permission is sent (step S64).

  Thereafter, in response to the execution of the projection display of the image signal and the audio signal sent from the personal computer 1 and the loud sound report sound (step S65), the currently connected personal computer 1 is also executed. The current task is monitored, and it is detected whether or not the execution of the application program made up of presentation software is completed (step S66).

  At the same time, it is determined whether there is a connection request control signal from a personal computer 1 other than the currently connected personal computer 1 (step S67), and if not, the process returns to step S65 again. By repeatedly executing it, while continuing the projection operation from the currently connected personal computer 1 and the detection of the end of the application program performing the projection operation, control of connection requests from other personal computers 1 Wait for a signal.

  If there is a connection request control signal from another personal computer 1, it is determined in step S 67 and whether or not the personal computer 1 detects the end of the application program in the immediately preceding step S 66. Is determined (step S68).

  Here, in the case where it is determined that the application program has not been completed yet and cannot be detected in the personal computer 1, a projection request operation signal is being sent, so a connection request control signal has been sent. After returning a control signal for rejecting connection to the other personal computer 1 (step S69), the operation returns to the operation from step S65 again.

  Therefore, if it is determined in step S68 that the application program has already ended in the personal computer 1 and has been detected, the connection of the personal computer 1 that is currently connected is set to be released. Then, a connection with another personal computer 1 that has sent the connection request control signal is set again (step S70), and then the process proceeds to the processing from step S65 so that the image from the newly connected personal computer 1 is obtained. The operation shifts to the operation of the projection display and the sound amplification output.

  As described above, when the personal computer 1 selected at that time ends an application program such as presentation software and there is a connection request from another personal computer 1, 1,. Since the connection is switched to another personal computer 1 that has issued a connection request, switching control can be realized more rationally.

  The maximum time for continuous projection in the first operation example in FIG. 4 and the time since the last operation in the third operation example in FIG. 6 are both arbitrarily variable on the data projector device 2 side. It may be settable.

  In this way, it is possible to switch and control the personal computer 1 selected by the user of the data projector device 2 at a more appropriate timing in consideration of the circumstances of the users of the personal computers 1, 1,.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment showed the case where it applied to the data projector apparatus which can connect a some personal computer by wireless LAN, this invention is not restricted to this, For example, personal computer 1,1, ..., data Such as interposing between the projector apparatus 2 and a plurality of external information devices via a wired / wireless network, selecting an image signal from any of them and outputting it to the projection apparatus, etc. It may be realized as an independent third device.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, at least one of the problems described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and described in the column of the effect of the invention. In a case where at least one of the obtained effects can be obtained, a configuration in which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The figure which shows the connection structure of the whole projection system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the functional circuit structure of the projector apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing a functional circuit configuration of the personal computer according to the embodiment. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a first operation example in the projector apparatus according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a second operation example in the projector apparatus according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a third operation example in the projector apparatus according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a fourth operation example in the projector apparatus according to the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Personal computer, 2 ... Data projector apparatus, 3 ... RGB cable, 11 ... CPU, 12 ... North bridge, 13 ... Main memory, 14 ... Graphic controller, 15 ... Graphic memory, 16 ... South bridge, 17 ... PCI bus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Keyboard / mouse, 19 ... Video encoder, 20 ... Wireless LAN interface (I / F), 21 ... Multi-disk drive, 22 ... Hard disk drive (HDD), 23 ... Wireless antenna, 31 ... Input / output connector part, 32 ... Input / output interface (I / F), 33 ... Image conversion unit, 34 ... Projection encoder, 35 ... Video RAM, 36 ... Projection drive unit, 37 ... Micromirror element (SOM), 38 ... Reflector, 39 ... Light source lamp, 40 ... color wheel, 41 ... light tunnel, 4 Mirror, 43 Projection lens, 44 Motor (M), 45 Projection light processing unit, 46 Control unit, 47 Wireless LAN interface (I / F), 48 Distance measurement unit, 49 Sound processing unit 50 ... Wireless antenna, 51 ... Distance sensor, 52 ... Speaker, 53 ... Key switch (SW) unit, 54 ... Ir receiver unit, AGP ... Graphics interface, FSB ... Front side bus, MB ... Memory bus, SB ... System bus.

Claims (3)

An image output device that outputs image information transmitted from an external information device by an output means,
In the state where image information based on an application executed by the first external information device is received from the first external information device and output by the output means, whether or not the application has ended in the first external information device is determined. First discriminating means for discriminating;
Second determination means for determining whether or not there is a request from a second external information device different from the first external information device;
When the end of the application in the first external information device is determined by the first determination unit and the request is determined by the second determination unit, instead of the image information from the first external information device, Switching control means for performing switching control so that image information transmitted from the second external information device is output by the output means;
An image output apparatus comprising: The switching control hand stage, when switching on behalf of an output of the image information from the first external information apparatus to an output of the image information from the second external information device, releases the connection between the first external information apparatus After switching to the second external information device after connection,
The image output apparatus according to claim 1 . A program for controlling a computer of an image output apparatus that outputs image information transmitted from an external information device by an output means,
The computer,
In the state where image information based on an application executed by the first external information device is received from the first external information device and output by the output means, whether or not the application has ended in the first external information device is determined. First discriminating means for discriminating;
Second determination means for determining whether or not there is a request from a second external information device different from the first external information device ;
When the end of the application in the first external information device is determined by the first determination unit and the request is determined by the second determination unit, instead of the image information from the first external information device, Switching control means for performing switching control so that image information transmitted from the second external information device is output by the output means;
A computer-readable program designed to function as a computer.

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